Senators push ‘fun agenda’ to liven up Massachusetts economy
July 20, 2026 –– Today, state Senators introduced a package of amendments to the Senate's economic development bill designed to strengthen Massachusetts' nightlife, culture, arts, and outdoor recreation –– a fun agenda to make the Commonwealth a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
Inspired by the energy and conviviality generated during this summer's FIFA World Cup and the success of temporary policies implemented for the event, these amendments seek to strengthen Massachusetts' economy and quality of life by expanding opportunities to gather socially, enjoy arts and culture, and experience the outdoors.
Senators Julian Cyr (D-Provincetown), Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), Robyn Kennedy (D- Worcester), Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence), Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), and Adam Gomez (D- Springfield) introduced the suite of amendments, which would:
- Lift Massachusetts’ ban on happy hour via local option (amendment 78)
- Make permanent public drinking districts (amendment 309) and extended last call (amendment 293) piloted during the World Cup
- Cap the resale price of concert tickets (amendment 20)
- Expand support for agrotourism (amendment 70) and improve access to hiking trails (amendment 23)
- Formalize an office of outdoor recreation (amendment 63)
- Establish a micro-grant program for performers, artists, and promoters to spue entertainment and nightlife (amendment 354)
- Modernize Sunday alcohol service (amendment 171)
“Our fun agenda is about becoming the kind of state we want to be –– a place with ample opportunity to gather together, enjoy shared moments and experience all that Massachusetts has to offer,” said Senator Cyr. “We’ve been hearing from scores of people across the Commonwealth – from Governor Healey on down – that we need to bring a little more conviviality to Massachusetts. This summer has shown what’s possible when we embrace new ideas and make space for connection. Let’s keep the momentum going –– our residents, small businesses, downtowns, and visitors will thank us for it.”
Local option happy hour
Among the proposals filed is an amendment that would repeal Massachusetts' decades-long ban on happy hour, giving municipalities the ability to allow for discounted drinks within reasonable safeguards by local option. Massachusetts is one of eight states that continues to ban happy hour, putting local bars, restaurants, and nightlife businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Cyr’s amendment would enable communities to use happy hour as a tool to attract foot traffic, increase downtown activity, and support small businesses. The provision has been passed by the Senate in the prior two legislative sessions.
Conviviality Districts, Lights On Initiative, and Sunday service
Building on the existing momentum, additional amendments propose to make permanent the provisions that helped create the vibrant atmosphere surrounding this summer’s World Cup events in Massachusetts. Currently, the rules allowing for an extended last call and for public drinking districts are slated to end on July 31 –– but Senators are seeking to make these measures permanent.
"Our restaurants, hospitality industry, and residents have repeatedly told us to enact policies that reflect how people live, work, and travel today," said Senator Payano, Chair of the
Massachusetts Senate Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. "The temporary changes during the World Cup showed these updates can work successfully in Massachusetts. Building on that experience, I've been proud to work alongside my colleagues to put forth thoughtful updates that support our small businesses while modernizing our state's alcohol laws. Whether it's aligning Sunday service hours with the rest of the week or advancing the Lights On Initiative to permanently allow municipalities to extend last call to 3:00 a.m., these amendments would provide communities with greater flexibility, strengthen our local economies, and help Massachusetts remain competitive.”
Under the temporary legislation, municipalities could designate outdoor areas, including streets and public parks, where residents and visitors may consume alcohol, provided their drinks are purchased from a licensed establishment within the zone. Municipalities have had the option to extend permissible service hours by one hour at bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and any other establishment licensed for on-premises consumption — up to a maximum of 3 a.m.
An amendment by Senator Payano would also allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol beginning at 8 a.m. on Sundays –– the same time allowed on all other days of the week. Currently, beverages cannot be served before 10 a.m. on Sundays.
"This summer the World Cup brought communities together and demonstrated that we can have fun while being respectful and considerate," said Senator Kennedy. "Designated districts for outdoor consumption of alcohol have been such an opportunity for our local businesses, and municipalities should have the option to continue them. While we continue to make Massachusetts more affordable for our residents, I'm proud to join with my Senate colleagues Julian Cyr, Adam Gomez, Pavel Payano, Jo Comerford, and Dylan Fernandes in creating a fun agenda, making our state more fun and accessible."
“For years, I’ve pushed Massachusetts to modernize its approach to liquor laws, and now we have a real-world example of the benefits that come from allowing a little more conviviality,” Cyr added. “This summer, we’ve seen people gather, celebrate, and support small businesses in ways we haven’t in recent memory. I’m asked all the time how we can keep this energy going — and part of the answer is entertainment districts, later last call, and bringing back happy hour.”
Capping resale of concert tickets
In response to rising concert ticket resale prices that threaten access to live entertainment, an amendment filed by Senator Fernandes would cap the resale price of all concert and live entertainment tickets at 110 percent of their original face value, while limiting resale fees to no more than 10 percent.
"The predatory, private-equity backed ticket resale market has fleeced Massachusetts residents for far too long, and it's time to put the fans first,” said Senator Fernandes. “Our artist-backed proposal caps ticket scalping and fees to make concerts affordable and having fun affordable for music lovers across Massachusetts.”
Fernandes’ amendment would also prohibit the sale of speculative tickets that a seller does not actually possess and ban deceptive marketing practices that falsely imply an affiliation with an artist or venue.
Outdoor recreation and agrotourism
Recognizing the diverse offerings of the Commonwealth that can positively impact quality of life, the fun agenda also seeks to make investments in outdoor recreation. Amendments by Senator Comerford would expand agrotourism, make the state’s trail system more accessible, and formally establish the Office of Outdoor Recreation in state law to ensure continued investment into the Massachusetts’ parks, trails, waterways, and outdoor experiences
"Massachusetts is a fun place to live and a fun place to visit," said Senator Comerford. "From outdoor recreation to agrotourism, rural Massachusetts offers boundless opportunities to enjoy and experience the wonders of natural and working land. I'm grateful to Senator Julian Cyr for
leading the call to embrace having fun as a shared value underpinning economic development. I'm so glad to join forces with Julian and Senators Adam Gomez, Pavel Payano, Robyn Kennedy, and Dylan Fernandes. When we make fun real and accessible for every community and for people of all abilities, we're building a Commonwealth where everyone gets to play."
Spurring entertainment and nightlife
To further support the Commonwealth’s cultural economy, Senators Cyr and Gomez have proposed establishing a micro-grant program for performers, artists, and promoters to spur entertainment and nightlight. The amendment builds from a highly successful microgrant program for artists and creatives executed by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding would provide $1 million over 5 years to MCC in direct support to local creatives and help strengthen the cultural experiences that make communities across the Commonwealth vibrant. Performers, musicians, party planners, DJs, cultural organizations, and more will be eligible to apply for small grants to launch new offerings.
Regional equity is woven through the Senators’ proposed fun agenda, and the suite of policies will boost recreational offerings and economic activity.
“Massachusetts sits at the crossroads of New England and competes every day with neighboring states for visitors, businesses, and entertainment dollars,” said Senator Gomez. “With venues in surrounding states operating around the clock, we must level the playing field and ensure our Gateway Cities have the tools to compete and thrive. Our restaurants, entertainment venues, cultural districts, and hospitality businesses are economic engines that create jobs, attract tourism, generate revenue, and keep our communities vibrant, and this legislation will help provide them with the resources and flexibility they need to remain relevant in a changing regional economy.”
Much of the fun agenda has been embraced by Governor Maura Healey, who has voiced support for local option happy hour and making permanent the liquor policies piloted this summer. Last week, Healey announced that she would be filing legislation to regulate the resale of concert tickets.
The Massachusetts State Senate is expected to debate its $325 million economic development bill –– S.3178, An Act relative to economic development in the Commonwealth — during formal session that starts on Wednesday.